May 10 - Sir Bani Yas Island

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Today was essentially a beach day.  We are holding position of Sir Bani Yas Island which is the largest natural island  of the United Arab Emirates.  It’s roughly 10 miles by 5 miles  in area.  The name originates from the Bani Yas tribe who were the first inhabitants of Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas means the crest of a salt dome.  In 1977 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan established the island as a wildlife reserve. Because of careful maintenance for four decades it is now the home of thousands of free-roaming animals and  millions of trees and plants in a variety of species.

 

Seabourn Encore holding off Sir Bani Yas

There are some permanent pavilions along the shore for ships to use for picnics and sunbathing.  This morning the staff began tendering over food, beverages, plates and cutlery so we passengers could have a barbecue under the fixed canopies.  In addition, some of the staff went in the water with surfboards from which they served caviar in the surf, a signature Seabourn event.

Lunch under a pavilion

We tendered over around 11:30 AM.  There was a short walk to the covered pavilions where dining tables had been set up.  Further ashore was an area with lots of umbrellas made of palm fronds with lounge chairs beneath them.  We aren’t beach people anymore so we stayed in the pavilions. 

Palm umbrellas for the beachgoers

I did walk over to where the caviar in the surf was to be served.  It was hotter than blazes!  At 11:45 one of the zodiacs from the ship came roaring along the beach with a siren sounding to let people know that caviar was being served.  We didn’t go in to get any.  The sea bottom looked rocky and full of shells.  Considering we can order caviar and champagne anytime we like onboard (another Seabourn signature thing), it just wasn’t worth it.

 

The caviar is coming! The caviar is coming! It's time for caviar in the surf.

People lining up to get their caviar

The buffet barbecue then began.  There were the usual BBQ items like hot dogs, hamburgers and ribs with the addition of grilled lobster, which was yummy!  They had a large assortment of salads, chips and salsa, desserts  and even homemade gelato.  It was a neat idea but after lunch we went back to the ship to be back in a/c.

Tomorrow is a sea day as we proceed out of the Persian Gulf and through the Strait of Hormuz.